State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Names Director
of the Assessment Development and Administration Division

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that Patrick Traynor, Ph.D., will serve as Director of the California Department of Education's Assessment Development and Administration Division, which manages all statewide assessments.

"Dr. Traynor comes to this important position with the right combination of experience and skill, as well as a history of working on behalf of California's kids," said Torlakson. "His background as a teacher and a researcher will be invaluable as we align our student assessment system with the new Common Core State Standards, a significant step toward preparing students for success in college and career."

Most recently, Traynor was the Assistant Superintendent of Student Assessment and Accountability in San Bernardino County's Hesperia Unified School District.

During his more than 20 years of experience in public schools, he has been a high school science teacher, middle school assistant principal, elementary school principal, middle school principal, director of language support services for English Learners, and director of assessment and evaluation.

Traynor, who begins work at CDE today, received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside with an emphasis on research. He has been published on the topics of classroom management and educational technology in journals including the Journal of Instructional Psychology, Education, California Reader, and Learning and Leading with Technology.

Torlakson Announces Approval of Science Framework (added 03-Nov-2016)
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced that the State Board of Education voted to approve a new Science Framework for California’s public schools that will dramatically upgrade and modernize science instruction.